CLASSIC WEST PAPUA TOUR REPORT 2025

2 - 30 August 2025

Pete Morris

West Papua is, without doubt, one of the most exciting destinations in our repertoire, with a long list of mouthwatering birds that really set the pulses racing. It is also one of the more challenging tours, with generally shy birds, deteriorating habitats, tricky terrain, and troublesome logistics, not least the access difficulties at some sites. We experienced all of the above and still ended up with many sensational sightings on what was unquestionably a very successful tour. The main disappointment was the fact that the Snow Mountain (Lake Habbema) area was closed to tourism during our visit, due to civil unrest in the area, but this in turn gave us the opportunity to visit some other areas that were not on our original itinerary, including Merauke in the southeast of West Papua where we saw the magnificent Spangled Kookaburra!

Even without Lake Habbema, we recorded around 380 species of bird, but more importantly, we recorded a high proportion of the available specialities and most sought-after avian delights. Amongst these were a whole host of dream birds! The birds-of-paradise of course stood out, with the amazing Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise and Western Parotias taking pride of place, but other localized species included Red Bird-of-Paradise, Vogelkop Lophorina and Long-tailed Paradigalla. We also feasted our eyes on more widespread beauties such as amazing displaying Black Sicklebills and King and Twelve-wired Birds-of-paradise. Aside from the Spangled Kookaburra, we indulged in an amazing array of other kingfishers, with Numfor, Biak and Red-breasted Paradise Kingfishers and the superb Blue-and-black Kingfisher being just some of the other highlights. Three stunning species of owlet-nightjars gave great looks, as did the superb Biak Scops Owl. We also struck gold with stupendous views of Victoria and Western Crowned Pigeons, were treated to not one but two wild Northern Cassowaries and enjoyed both Chestnut and White-striped Forest Rails at close range. A spectacular male Masked Bowerbird will live long in our memories, the Vogelkop Bowerbird with his ridiculous bower was unforgettable, and a good selection of Megapodes were much appreciated! All in all it really was a fantastic adventure, despite the sometimes challenging conditions. One thing is for sure, it’s a lot easier than it used to be, with only a few nights not in comfortable accommodation. The walking is a lot easier too, though, if our experience is anything to go by, it’s still as wet and muddy as ever!!

We began the tour on far flung Biak Island. Our stay here was a day longer than planned due to flight changes, giving us plenty of time on the island. It was sultry, warm, and sometimes wet, and it was a bit of a culture shock being thrust into the heart of the rainforest here. Over the three and a bit days we had to explore Biak we found just about all of the specialities on offer. Pride of place perhaps went to the incredible Biak Paradise Kingfisher, though we also much appreciated the gorgeous Geelvink Fruit Dove, the colourful Black-winged Lory and Biak Lorikeet (both easier to see in flight but we managed good perched looks in the end), the fabulous Biak Hooded Pitta which showed so well and the very special Biak Scops Owl which we saw well on a couple of evenings. Common endemics included Biak Gerygone, Biak Triller, Geelvink Cicadabird, the smart Biak Fantail (now lumped back with Northern Fantail), Biak Black Flycatcher and Long-tailed Starling, whilst a visit to drier forest yielded the localized Biak White-eye. As usual, we had to work harder for a few of the endemics. Skulkers such as Biak Coucal and the remarkable songster Biak Whistler were teased from their hiding points, the sneaky Biak Leaf Warbler eventually surrendered, and the gorgeous Biak Monarch was found with the sensational local form of Golden Monarch. Whilst seeking out these special birds we found a number of more widespread species such as Torresian Imperial Pigeon, Great Cuckoo-Dove (including some amazing display flights!), Amboyna Cuckoo-Dove, the stunning Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Moustached Treeswift, Papuan Frogmouth, the smart Beach Kingfisher, Variable Goshawk, some amazing Gurney’s Eagles, our first Long-tailed Honey Buzzard, Papuan Eclectus and Red-cheeked Parrots, Hooded Butcherbird, the smart Emperor Fairywren, Red-capped Flowerpecker, and Sahul and Black Sunbirds.

We also took a trip over to Numfor, in a rather comfortable and efficient speedboat, though it was very difficult to see seabirds at the speed we went! We spent most of our birding time here exploring a forested track where we soon found the incredible Numfor Paradise Kingfisher, with several showing well, and the endemic Numfor Leaf Warbler. Here we were also pleased to see the endemic Biak Scrubfowl well, and other goodies here included the scarce Geelvink Imperial Pigeon, the tiny Geelvink Pygmy Parrot, the local form of Eastern Hooded Pitta (perhaps better treated as an endemic species?) and the endemic forms of Geelvink Cicadabird and Long-tailed Starling. Along the coast we were pleased to find a Great-billed Heron on the mudflats.

It had been a great stay on the lovely islands and we said goodbye to our great team of helpers before taking a flight to Sentani where we were met by our next team and immediately headed to our next base at Nimbokrang and settled in to our comfortable accommodation. Much of our time in Nimbokrang we spent exploring the forest adjacent to our accommodation, focussing in particular on the birds-of-paradise. Here the highlight was some stunning views of the rare Pale-billed Sicklebill, including a male scoped perched on a rattan spike, though the supporting cast of Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise on his display perch, stunning displaying Lesser Birds-of-paradise, the fabulous King Bird-of-paradise and a fine male Magnificent Riflebird were all much appreciated.

We also devoted a day to finding the rare and shy Victoria Crowned Pigeon, with our friend ‘Blackie’ and this proved to be a great success, with some amazing scope views of this stunner! Other top targets seen in the area included Collared Brush Turkey (heard but only seen briefly), Papuan Nightjar, the stunning Salvadori’s Fig Parrot, Papuan Pitta (of the Habenicht’s form), Northern Variable Pitohui, smart Ochre-collared Monarchs, Yellow-gaped Honeyeater, Meyer’s Friarbird and Mamberano Shrikethrush (now lumped back in the enlarged Little Shrikethrush). We also found a surprise Black-headed Whistler, a write-in for the tour!

More widespread species included Papuan Spine-tailed Swift, the often elusive Ivory-billed Coucal, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Purple-tailed, Zoe’s and Pinon Imperial Pigeons, Marbled Frogmouth, more Papuan Frogmouths, the huge Blyth’s Hornbill, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Common Paradise Kingfisher, a lovely Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, a close Pygmy Eagle, Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot, Black-capped Lory, Coconut Lorikeets, Mimic Honeyeater, Black-browed Triller, Yellow-bellied and Green-backed Gerygones, boisterous Papuan Babblers, Northern and Rufous-backed Fantails, White-bellied and Sooty Thicket Fantails, Boyer’s Cuckooshrike, Black Cicadabird, Black Butcherbird, the smart Lowland Peltops, Hooded and Spot-winged Monarchs, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Grey Crow and the smart Yellow-faced Myna.

Before we left we had one last vigil from a viewpoint, and, following another brisk shower, enjoyed a wonderful couple of hours where we enjoyed smart Coroneted and Orange-bellied Fruit Doves, some incredible Pesquet’s Parrots, foraging Brown Lories, smart Golden Cuckooshrikes and Streak-headed Honeyeater, before making our way back to Sentani.

Our next leg of the tour was new for this itinerary as we found ourselves flying right to the south of New Guinea to Merauke, where we hit the ground running. It didn’t take too long to find our first Spangled Kookaburra, though it took a while to get some great views of this stunner. A few other new birds, with a largely Australian flavour, were noted including Bar-shouldered Dove, Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Noisy Friarbird, Graceful Honeyeater, Grey Shrikethrush and Black-backed Butcherbird. We then turned our attention to some wetlands a couple of hours north of town. Here we were delighted to find both the localized Grey-crowned and Black Mannikins, as well as the distinctive white-bellied form of Crimson Finch. A couple of Green Pygmy Geese were much appreciated, the paddyfields were full of cormorants, ibises and darters, and other species of note included smart Papuan Harriers, Pheasant Coucals, Buff-banded Rail, Comb-crested Jacana, Rufous-banded Honeyeater, White-shouldered Fairywren and Australian Reed Warbler.

The following morning we explored Wasur National Park again, and here we found more Spangled Kookaburras as well as a smart Yellow-billed Kingfisher, our only Blue-winged Kookaburra, Red-winged Parrot, a confiding group of Dusky-cheeked Fig Parrots, Brown-backed and White-throated Honeyeaters, Large-billed Gerygone and a pair of Lemon-bellied Flyrobins. After lunch, and a look at the local Independence Day celebrations, we headed for the airport and made our way once more to our comfortable base at Sentani.

With Lake Habbema off-limits, our Wamena leg of the tour was somewhat truncated, with just two nights being spent there this year. This gave us time to visit the very restricted areas that we were still allowed to explore, and although a little disappointing, we were still able to seek out a number of good birds. Among the highlights were a smart pair of Chestnut Forest Rails, a stunning Mountain Kingfisher, Papuan Treecreeper, Mountain Peltops, the endemic Lorentz’s Whistler and Brown Sicklebill, as well as Mountain Swiftlet, smart Plum-faced and Orange-billed Lorikeets, Brown-breasted Gerygone, Red-collared Myzomela, Common Smoky, Grey-streaked and Black-throated Honeyeaters, Belford’s Melidectes, Fan-tailed Berrypecker, Friendly, Black and Dimorphic Fantails, the smart Rufous-naped Bellbird, Canary Flyrobin, Buff-faced and Papuan Scrubwrens and Slaty Robin. Lower down in the valley we were pleased to see Greater Lophorina, the endemic Baliem Whistler and the smart and localized Black-breasted Mannikin as well as the gorgeous Ornate Melidectes, though the rain was never far away!

After our whistlestop visited to Wamena, we headed back to Sentani and took a drive out towards the Papua New Guinea border. It was pretty warm, and activity was somewhat quiet by the time we arrived, and it wasn’t too long before we decided to find shade, eat lunch and rest up for a while! As the temperatures dropped, activity picked up a little, and we eventually found our main target in the area, the attractive and localized Edward’s Fig Parrot, which eventually showed well in the scope and was a write-in for the tour. A Brown-headed Crow was a surprise, our first Double-eyed Fig Parrot much appreciated, and amongst the few other birds noted were our first Black-billed Coucals, an Ornate Fruit Dove, Pacific Bazas and our first Brown Oriole.

Our final morning based in Sentani was spent exploring the nearby grasslands. The rain was once again against us, but we had enough dry time to find what we were looking for including the impressive Great-billed Mannikin and the smart Hooded Mannikin, as well as more widespread Chestnut-breasted Mannikins, a fabulous Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, more Channel-billed Cuckoos, Golden-headed Cisticolas, and both Brown and King Quails. It was then time to head for the airport and our flight west to Manokwari. After lunch, we made our way, in our 4WDs, up into the Arfaks where we stayed at our first base at Maibriy. A deterioration in the relationships between the various villages in the area of the Arfaks that we visit has really complicated access to the various areas of forest, and even birding along the roadside is far from straightforward. Thankfully, we just about navigated our way around it, and came out with an excellent haul of great birds.

Based in Maibriy first, our prime target here was the stunning Masked Bowerbird, and this took some tracking down, though ultimately we got sensational views of a pair at a fruiting tree. Also here we were fortunate to see a stunning pair of White-striped Forest Rails, and we marvelled at both an amazing Mountain Owlet-nightjar and an equally stunning Feline Owlet-nightjar roosting nearby! We spent some time at a hide with a fruit feeder where we saw female-plumaged Western Parotia, Vogelkop Lophorina and Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise alongside impressive Crinkle-collared Manucodes. Along a forest trail we found the sneaky Rusty Mouse-warbler, the scarce Vogelkop Whistler, Sclater’s Whistler, Mid-mountain Berrypecker, the attractive Goldenface, the unusual Drongo Fantail, Stout-billed Cuckooshrike and a vocal but sneaky Trumpet Manucode. Along the roadside we found other species including Bar-tailed Cuckoo-Dove, Papuan Mountain Pigeon, Superb and White-bibbed (here the Mountain form) Fruit Doves, Black-bellied Cuckooshrike, Hooded Pitohui, Island Leaf Warbler, Scrub Honeyeater, Capped and Black-fronted White-eyes and some showy Olive-crowned Flowerpeckers.

We also made a side excursion to a nearby lodge where we had the great fortune of seeing the rare and shy Wattled Brushturkey as well as Green-backed Robin (present at several of the hides) and Black Monarch. Unfortunately our attempts to see a displaying Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise at Maibriy were less successful as he proved generally uncooperative.

Our second base at Minggre gave us new opportunities. Here we set off in the dark to make our way down to a blind for Western Parotia and were treated to the incredible spectacle of the Western Parotias dancing. Quite a mesmerising experience! The male Vogelkop Lophorina was less active though present, and we spent some time with the amazing Vogelkop Bowerbird. Amazing not for the bird itself, but for its incredible collection of plastic ornaments in its bower, which included a truck and a gun and a deflated spikey ball, to name a few! We were also amazed to watch how carefully he arranged the ornaments – quite incredible!

Around the village we saw our first endemic Arfak Honeyeater and Vogelkop Melidectes, whilst the adjacent forest housed some other skulkers such as Vogelkop Scrubwren, Black-throated Robin and Lesser Ground Robin (that we teased out from the undergrowth), and we also got some great looks at Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo and the smart Black-breasted Boatbill. After dark, we fixed a Papuan Boobook in the spotlight beam and found the rare Arfak Ring-tailed Possum.

We also made a side trip towards Anggi Lakes where we found the localized endemic Grey-banded Mannikin. We also birded the road below the lodge a little and here we found a surprise Torrent Lark as well as Grey-green Scrubwren and White-eared Bronze Cuckoo, whilst further down at Kwau we were thrilled to see Wallace’s Owlet-nightjar roosting in its hole, as well as Metallic Pigeon perched, Black-winged Monarch and several Streak-headed Mannikins.

Our other main birding in the Arfaks was a trek higher up to look for a few other specialities. Sadly, we were thwarted by a logistical hitch and some wet weather, but nevertheless saw some great birds. On the first attempt, we were not able to climb up to the higher camp, instead focusing on lower areas where we saw the much-wanted Long-tailed Paradigalla alongside our first, female-plumaged, Black Sicklebills. A concerted effort eventually unearthed the splendid Orange-crowned Fairywren, and other species here included Modest Tiger Parrot, the attractive Regent Whistler and our first Rufous-sided Honeyeater.

In the afternoon we decided to try areas lower down, though the weather was still not on our side, and we again spent much time dodging the rain! Despite that, we did find a few smart denizens of the lower elevations including Wallace’s Fairywrens as well as our first Sultan’s Cuckoo-Dove, Puff-backed Honeyeater and Arafura Shrikethrush. We also spent some time peering into the busy canopy of a flowering giant, where we were able to pick out numerous Fairy Lorikeets, as well as Papuan Black and Red Myzomelas.

On our second attempt, we were cleared to climb to the higher camp, and embarked upon the relatively arduous walk for a night of camping. On the way up we encountered a few more goodies including smart Yellow-billed Lorikeets, a singing Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo, Mountain Mouse-warbler, Black Pitohui and Marbled Honeyeater. Once at the camp we found the shy Cinnamon-browed Melidectes, a species that is devilishly hard to see well. Our exploits above the camp that afternoon and the following morning were largely thwarted by fog and rain, though we did find the localized Smoky Robin, the smart Ashy Robin (which was surprisingly hard to come by) and the sneaky Spotted Jewel-babbler. In between, early in the morning after our relatively comfortable night camping in the shelter, we visited the blind overlooking the display perch of a Black Sicklebill. This provided us with quite an amazing half hour of entertainment as the guardian of the post posed, called, preened and displayed, stretching himself out in his incredible surfboard shape, his turquoise spangles glistening in the low light. This alone made our walk worthwhile!

The walk down was straightforward if somewhat tedious, as concentration was required in the rain so as not to slip! We did manage to connect with a Lesser Melampitta as we went, and made our way back to Manokwari where creature comforts were very much enjoyed! A hot shower has never felt so good, and down at dinner we all felt somewhat transformed!

Much of the following day was spent travelling. A somewhat delayed flight to Sorong (once again heavy rain) followed by a boat trip across to Waigeo. Seawatching from the ferry was a little thin, though we did have good views of a Wilson’s Storm Petrel. On arrival we met with our local team and transferred to our comfortable hotel. A stop on the way yielded some smart Beach Kingfishers, more Claret-breasted Fruit Doves and a few waders, and we arrived in time for a cold beer and a fine meal.

The following morning we set off in the dark, admiring a whacky-looking Waigeo Cuscus as soon as we left the vehicle! We then took a slow walk up through the forest, and put the thermal to good use. In quick succession we admired an Olive Flyrobin, a Stephan’s Dove, a stunning Papuan Pitta and several startled-looking Dusky Megapodes! We continued slowly until we reached a hide, and as soon as we sat down, our eyeballs nearly exploded! Right in front of us, almost at touching distance, was one of the most sensational birds on our planet, and over the next hour or so we were treated to the most incredible performance by a male Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise. Calling, preening and occasionally displaying, he attracted a potential mate at one point, and would frequently hop up above his display court and begin snipping off all the leaves! Presumably this was to open up the light to illuminate his amazing multi-coloured plumage, but it also seemed to cause frustration as having snipped off the leaves he would jump back down and toss them indignantly off of his cleared display area! It really was one of those experiences that will never be forgotten!

Just as we were thinking of leaving, the heavens opened once more, so we took cover. Once the clouds cleared we headed down, finding the endemic Raja Ampat Pitohui and Waigeo Shrikethrush (though the latter has currently been lumped again!). We then returned to our friendly dive resort for lunch and some downtime before heading back to the forest. Here, we paused at a flowering tree where Pygmy Longbills and smart Ruby-throated Myzomelas gave great views, and then again had to climb back up the hill, this time to an elevated hide overlooking some bare limbs. And it did not take too long before some spectacular male Red Birds-of-paradise appeared and started jumping around, hanging upside down and calling raucously. Another sensational performance, much appreciated by all. Heading down, it was getting quite dark, and the Hook-billed Kingfishers were in full voice. Thankfully it did not take too long to get one fixed in the spotlight!

Due to afternoon low tides, the following morning we took a boat trip out to the nearby Merpati Island. This proved successful as we quickly found the suite of small island specialists found here. Olive and Varied Honeyeaters greeted us on arrival, and quickly we found Violet-necked Lory, Island Whistler, Lemon-bellied White-eye and Moluccan Starlings, and after some effort we found the fantastic White-bibbed Fruit Dove of the Moluccan form. Heading back, we stopped to admire some very obliging Bridled Terns.

The rest of the day we spent exploring forest closer to our hotel, as well as spending some time around the hotel itself where we enjoyed great views of Spice Imperial Pigeon and a fantastic Palm Cockatoo feasting on fruits in the garden! In the forest, raucous calls led us to a great encounter with the blue-eyed Brown-headed Crow. We also found more Raja Ampat Pitohuis and Waigeo Shrikethrushes, explored mixed flocks containing Grey Whistler, Yellow-bellied and Fairy Gerygones, Yellow-breasted Boatbill and Frilled Monarchs, and admired another smart Common Paradise Kingfisher. No Western Crowned Pigeons appeared on the track, they would have to wait, but we did admire some superb Pink-spotted Fruit Doves in the scope.

On our final morning we tried some roadside birding, with plenty of pigeons, doves and parrots on show, as well as a smart Channel-billed Cuckoo and three Brown-headed Crows mobbing a Gurney’s Eagle! We also paused to tick off the and Singing Starlings around the harbour. The boat trip back to Sorong was fairly uneventful, despite plenty of effort we could find little more than a few boobies, terns and frigatebirds other than a small group of Red-necked Phalaropes. Once back on land, we had to negotiate some civil unrest, before driving to the Klasow Valley. Here, we took the well-constructed, though somewhat slippery, boardwalk into Malagufuk Village. A stunning Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher was much appreciated, though a number of other goodies were seen including a roosting Marbled Frogmouth, Eastern Hooded and Papuan Pittas, a couple of smart Cinnamon Ground Doves and a fantastic group of huge Western Crowned Pigeons feeding under a fruiting tree, strutting about nervously and continually twitching their tails. Amazing stuff!

Our time at Malagufuk was tough, largely due to the incredibly muddy trails and tough birding, but ultimately it was amazingly successful! It took two attempts, but ultimately we got brilliant views of a Northern Cassowary feeding on fruit in front of us, one of the real highlights of the tour, and incredibly we found another on the walk out! We spent a lot of time looking for ground floor skulkers, eventually seeing Thick-billed Ground Pigeon and (Green-naped) Pheasant Pigeon and having an unbelievable close range encounter with a Red-billed Brushturkey! Blue-black Kingfisher played hard to get but ultimately showed brilliantly, the rare Tawny Straightbill gave us a real runaround before posing right in front of us, and in the clearing we found the much-wanted Black Lory as well as Large Fig Parrot. There were many other great birds too. Fruiting trees attracted stunning Golden Mynas and Beautiful and Wompoo Fruit Doves, we had a couple of encounters with gorgeous Moluccan King Parrots, mixed flocks held such goodies as Rusty Pitohui, Yellow-bellied Longbill, Black Berrypecker and even Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Black-sided Robins were frequent, a Grey-headed Goshawk was found foraging on the forest floor and a trio of smart Rufous Owls were seen roosting near the village, though sadly the Blue Jewel-babbler remained a frustrating voice in the forest. At night, we found a number of birds roosting, including a fine Red-necked Crake, and for those that tried, we were treated to an amazing encounter with an incredible Long-beaked Echidna. This truly rare and sensational mammal really does look part kiwi!!

After a great visit to Malagufuk, we detoured on our way back to the nearby Klabili village, where we twitched a superb New Guinea Bronzewing on the nest, a fitting finale to our brief but great stay in the area. We then made our way to our comfortable hotel, and were able to relax and breathe a sigh of relief that we’d made it, and made it with an excellent haul of great birds. We were not finished yet though, and a brief foray into the mangroves of Sorong the following morning eventually yielded the excellent localized Blue-fronted Fig Parrot as well as a couple of smart Collared Imperial Pigeons and numerous smart Orange-fronted Fruit Doves. We also saw a confusing thicket-fantail. Initially singing like, and thought to be, a Black Thicket-Fantail, it appeared to show some white on the belly, and doesn’t really look totally right for either Black or White-bellied Thicket Fantail. Brief research suggests that the two forms may intergrade where they meet, and I suspect that may have been what was going on… We then headed back to the hotel in time for breakfast and to clean up and pack before heading for the airport.

There is no doubt that the birding and climatic conditions were often tough, and that some logistics and political conditions were not in our favour, but overall this tour is nothing like the endurance test it used to be! In fact, it’s mostly pretty comfortable now, with only two or three tough walks and still a multitude of amazing birds! Thankfully the old saying remains true with this tour… “if you put in the effort, you get the rewards”, and we were certainly richly rewarded with some of the most amazing avian spectacles on our planet!

BIRDS OF THE TOUR

1st: WILSON’S BIRD-OF-PARADISE
2nd: NORTHERN CASSOWARY
3rd: VICTORIA CROWNED PIGEON
4th: Western Parotia
5th: Wattled Brushturkey & Masked Bowerbird
7th: Palm Cockatoo
8th: Black Sicklebill
9th: Red Bird-of-paradise
10th: Vogelkop Bowerbird

And an honorable mention must go to the Western Long-beaked Echidna, a sensational egg-laying mammal that looks like a kiwi!!

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).
The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2024. IOC World Bird List (v15.1) (this was the current version when the checklist for the tour was created).
Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

BIRDS
Northern Cassowary ◊  Casuarius unappendiculatus   Brilliant views of a subadult (?) feeding on fruit from a screen at Malagufuk. What a mega! Amazingly, another, an immature, seen from the boardwalk later that day, and gave great views too!
Green Pygmy Goose  Nettapus pulchellus   Three seen well in the ricefields north of Merauke.
Wattled Brushturkey ◊  Aepypodius arfakianus   Brilliant views of one coming to food at a hide at Lorikeet Lodge. Excellent bonus [nominate]!
Red-billed Brushturkey ◊  Talegalla cuvieri   Several heard at Malagufuk, where we were treated to sensational views of an individual feeding on a fruit in a stream at close range from the boardwalk.
Black-billed Brushturkey ◊  Talegalla fuscirostris   Heard only at dusk on the drive back from the ricefields north of Merauke.
Collared Brushturkey ◊ (Brown-c B)  Talegalla jobiensis   Heard several times around Nimbokrang, and one flushed up and glimpsed at Jalan Korea there [nominate].
Dusky Megapode ◊ (B Scrubfowl)  Megapodius freycinet   Several seen well, the first in the spotlight at Warkesi Forest Park, Waigeo [nominate].
Biak Scrubfowl ◊ (B Megapode)  Megapodius geelvinkianus   A few seen well along the track at Namber, southwest Numfor. Also heard and seen in flight on Biak.
Brown Quail  Synoicus ypsilophorus   A couple seen in flight at the Sentani grasslands [saturatior].
King Quail (Blue-breasted Q)  Synoicus chinensis   Good views of several in flight at at the Sentani grasslands [lepidus].
Papuan Nightjar ◊  Eurostopodus papuensis   Great views of a male flying around calling and landing on a bridge at Jalan Korea, Nimbokrang.
Large-tailed Nightjar  Caprimulgus macrurus   A few seen well, the first on Biak [schlegelii].
Marbled Frogmouth ◊  Podargus ocellatus   Excellent spotlight views of individuals on two occasions at Nimbokrang. One found roosting from the boardwalk at Malagufuk [nominate].
Papuan Frogmouth ◊  Podargus papuensis   One on a nest, just south of Sunde, Biak. Also a pair seen well roosting at Nimbokrang, and a few others later.

Feline Owlet-nightjar ◊  Aegotheles insignis   Brilliant views of a roosting bird at Maibriy.

Wallace’s Owlet-nightjar ◊  Aegotheles wallacii   Brilliant views of a roosting bird at Kwau.

Mountain Owlet-nightjar ◊  Aegotheles albertisi   Brilliant views of a roosting bird at Maibriy.

Moustached Treeswift ◊  Hemiprocne mystacea   A few seen well, the first on Biak [nominate].

Glossy Swiftlet (White-bellied S)  Collocalia esculenta   A few seen on Waigeo [amethystina], on Numfor [numforensis], and common on Biak and on the mainland [nitens].

Mountain Swiftlet ◊  Aerodramus hirundinaceus   A few seen over the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura [nominate].

Uniform Swiftlet  Aerodramus vanikorensis  Small numbers throughout Biak and Numfor [steini], on the mainland [yorki], and plenty seen around Waigeo [waigeuensis].

Papuan Spinetail ◊ (P Needletail)  Mearnsia novaeguineae   Great views of several at Nimbokrang, the first at Jalan Korea.

Ivory-billed Coucal ◊ (Greater Black C)  Centropus menbeki   Plenty heard at Nimbokrang with pretty good views of one at Jalan Korea. One seen well on the ground from the boardwalk at Malagufuk [nominate].

Biak Coucal ◊  Centropus chalybeus   Many heard on Biak, and decent views of a pair at the start of the track at Makmakerbo.

Black-billed Coucal ◊ (Lesser Black C)  Centropus bernsteini   First seen well just west of Skouw, near to the Papuan border. Others heard,

Pheasant Coucal  Centropus phasianinus   Several seen well in the Merauke area [thierfelderi].

Dwarf Koel ◊ (Black-capped Koel)  Microdynamis parva   Heard only, at close range at Nimbokrang, but no luck [grisescens]!

Pacific Koel ◊  Eudynamys orientalis   First heard in Wasur National Park. A few seen, including one in the mangroves at Sorong.

Channel-billed Cuckoo ◊  Scythrops novaehollandiae   First seen from the KM9 viewpoint at Nimbokrang. Several others seen well [nominate].

Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo ◊  Chalcites ruficollis   Excellent views of one on the walk up to Gunung Nadim from Syoubri.

White-eared Bronze Cuckoo ◊  Chalcites meyerii   A couple seen in the Arfaks, one below Minggre and one at Kwau. Others heard.

Little Bronze Cuckoo  Chalcites minutillus   One seen well just north of Biak Kota [misoriensis].

White-crowned Cuckoo ◊ (W-c Koel)  Caliechthrus leucolophus   Heard only with birds close by at Malagufuk!

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo ◊  Cacomantis castaneiventris   A few seen well in the Arfaks, the first at Minggre.

Sahul Brush Cuckoo  Cacomantis variolosus   Small numbers seen on Biak (same subspecies on the mainland) [infaustus] and Numfor [obscuratus].

Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) (introduced)  Columba livia

Metallic Pigeon (White-throated P)  Columba vitiensis   Two or three seen in the Minggre area, including excellent views of a perched bird [halmaheira].

Spotted Dove  Spilopelia chinensis   Introduced. First seen on Biak. Plenty seen at the Sentani Grasslands [chinensis-group].

Amboyna Cuckoo-Dove  Macropygia amboinensis  A few seen and more heard on Biak and elsewhere [cinereiceps] and a few heard on Numfor [maforensis].

Sultan’s Cuckoo-Dove  Macropygia doreya   Plenty seen well, the first below Duibey in the Arfak Mountains [nominate].

Bar-tailed Cuckoo-Dove ◊ (Black-billed C-d)  Macropygia nigrirostris   Plenty seen well in the Arfaks, the first at Maibriy.

Great Cuckoo-Dove ◊  Reinwardtoena reinwardti   A few great looks at various forest spots on Biak. Amazing undulating display [brevis]. Some in flight on the mainland and Waigeo [griseotincta].

Common Emerald Dove  Chalcophaps indica   Good views of a female along the track inland from Namber, on Numfor. Surprisingly rufescent, including a rufous tail! [minima].

Stephan’s Emerald Dove  Chalcophaps stephani   Excellent spotlight views of a roosting bird at Warkesi Forest Park, Waigeo [nominate].

New Guinea Bronzewing ◊  Henicophaps albifrons   Brilliant views of one or maybe two adults (two visits) on the nest at Klabili Village [nominate].

Bar-shouldered Dove ◊  Geopelia humeralis   A few seen in flight in the Merauke area [gregalis].

Cinnamon Ground Dove ◊  Gallicolumba rufigula   Excellent views of two from the boardwalk at Malagufuk [nominate].

Pheasant Pigeon ◊ (Green-naped P P)  Otidiphaps [nobilis] nobilis   Decent views of one called in at Malagufuk.

Western Crowned Pigeon ◊  Goura cristata   Stunning views of three feeding on the ground from the boardwalk at Malagufuk.

Victoria Crowned Pigeon ◊  Goura victoria   Brilliant views of two, up in trees, and a couple of others seen in flight, during the long walk at Jalan Korea, Nimbokrang [beccarii].

Wompoo Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus magnificus   A few heard in the Nimbokrang area. Finally seen at Malagufuk [poliurus].

Pink-spotted Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus perlatus   Best views were of the smart dove along the logging track at Saproken, Waigeo [nominate].

Ornate Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus ornatus   One scoped in roadside forest just west of Skouw, near to the Papua New Guinea border [gestroi].

Orange-fronted Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus aurantiifrons   Excellent views of one at the Sentani grasslands. Also several in the mangroves at Sorong.

Superb Fruit Dove  Ptilinopus superbus   Best views were in the fruiting tree at Maibriy in the Arfaks [nominate].

Coroneted Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus coronulatus   Excellent views of a pair from the KM9 viewpoint at Nimbokrang. The forecrowns were very pale [geminus]!

Beautiful Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus pulchellus   A few seen well at Nimbokrang and at Malagufuk

White-bibbed Fruit Dove ◊ (Moluccan F D)  Ptilinopus [rivoli] prasinorrhous   Two or three eventually seen well on Merpati Island off Waigeo.

White-bibbed Fruit Dove ◊ (Mountain F D)  Ptilinopus [rivoli] bellus   A few seen well in the Arfaks, the first at Maibriy.

Geelvink Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus speciosus   Great views of several, mostly on Biak.

Claret-breasted Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus viridis   Seen well at a few different spots on Biak [geelvinkianus], and several seen well on Waigeo [pectoralis].

Orange-bellied Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus iozonus   Common, first seen in the Nimbokrang area [iobiensis].

Spice Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula myristicivora   Several seen well on Waigeo.

Geelvink Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula geelvinkiana   Several seen in flight most days on Biak but best views were of a perched pair along the track at Namber, southwest Numfor.

Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula rufigaster   One seen well perched at Nimbokrang [nominate].

Rufescent Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula chalconota   Heard only, quite distantly on Gunung Nadim, above Syoubri, in the Arfaks [nominate].

Pinon’s Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula pinon   Several seen well around Nimbokrang, Waigeo and Malagufuk [nominate].

Collared Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula mullerii   Good flight views of a couple in the mangroves at Sorong on the last morning.

Zoe’s Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula zoeae   Several seen and more heard around Nimbokrang and others elsewhere.

Torresian Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula spilorrhoa   Good numbers seen well in the tsunami forest in eastern Biak. Several small groups seen flying over along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park.

Papuan Mountain Pigeon ◊ (Bare-eyed M-P)  Gymnophaps albertisii   Plenty seen well in the Arfaks, the first at Maibriy [nominate].

Chestnut Forest Rail ◊  Rallicula rubra   Brilliant views of an excellent pair at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura [klossi]..

White-striped Forest Rail ◊  Rallicula leucospila   Brilliant views of a pair (the female was showy, the male more shy), along a trail at Maibriy, in the Arfaks.

Buff-banded Rail  Hypotaenidia philippensis   One seen well in ricefields north of Merauke [mellori] and one seen at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura [lacustris].

Red-necked Crake ◊  Rallina tricolor   Excellent spotlight views of a roosting bird from the boardwalk at Malagufuk.

Pale-vented Bush-hen ◊ (Rufous-tailed B)  Amaurornis moluccana   One heard on Numfor [nominate], heard and glimpsed near to Nimbokrang and heard at Merauke [rufocrissa].

Pied Stilt  Himantopus leucocephalus   Non-leader seen in fields near to Merauke.

Pacific Golden Plover  Pluvialis fulva   Three seen on the runway at Waigeo.

Masked Lapwing  Vanellus miles   A few seen in ricefields north of Merauke [nominate].

Comb-crested Jacana ◊  Irediparra gallinacea   A young bird seen in the ricefields north of Merauke.

Eurasian Whimbrel (Eurasian W)  Numenius phaeopus   A few seen on Waigeo and near to Sorong [variegatus].

Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos   A few seen on Waigeo.

Grey-tailed Tattler  Tringa brevipes   One seen on Waigeo.

Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola   c8 seen in ricefields north of Merauke.

Common Redshank  Tringa totanus   One seen on Waigeo [terrignotae].

Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia   One seen on Waigeo.

Bridled Tern  Onychoprion anaethetus   Several seen on the crossings to and from Numfor. A few seen well around Waigeo [nominate].

Whiskered Tern  Chlidonias hybrida   Non-leader seen in fields near to Merauke.

Common Tern (Eastern C T)  Sterna [hirundo] longipennis   A few seen around Waigeo.

Greater Crested Tern  Thalasseus bergii   A few seen on the crossings to and from Numfor and a few seen around Waigeo [cristatus].

Wilson’s Storm Petrel ◊  Oceanites oceanicus   One seen from the ferry to Waigeo [oceanicus/exasperates].

Lesser Frigatebird  Fregata ariel   Three seen on the crossing back from Numfor. Plenty on the ferries to and from Waigeo and around Waigeo [nominate].

Brown Booby (Forster’s B B)  Sula [leucogaster] plotus   A few seen on the crossings to and from Numfor and a few seen from the ferry back from Waigeo.

Australasian Darter  Anhinga novaehollandiae   One seen over the ricefields north of Merauke [papua].

Little Pied Cormorant  Microcarbo melanoleucos   A few in the ricefields north of Merauke [nominate].

Little Black Cormorant  Phalacrocorax sulcirostris   Plenty in the ricefields north of Merauke.

Australian White Ibis  Threskiornis molucca   A few over the ricefields north of Merauke [nominate].

Glossy Ibis  Plegadis falcinellus   Big flocks in and over the ricefields north of Merauke.

Black Bittern  Botaurus flavicollis   One seen very briefly in flight at the tsunami forest in eastern Biak. Three seen in flight in the Merauke area [australis].

Nankeen Night Heron (Rufous N H)  Nycticorax caledonicus   A few on the beach on northern Numfor and a few in the ricefields north of Merauke [australasiae].

Pacific Reef Heron (Eastern R Egret)  Egretta sacra   A couple on flotsam on the way back from Merpati Island, Waigeo [nominate].

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta   First seen on the beach on northern Numfor. Plenty in ricefields north of Merauke [nigripes].

Pied Heron ◊  Egretta picata   Plenty in ricefields north of Merauke.

Little Heron  Butorides atricapilla   Several on the beach on northern Numfor [papuensis].

Great Egret  Ardea alba   First seen at the tsunami forest in eastern Biak. Several in ricefields north of Merauke [modesta].

Plumed Egret  Ardea plumifera   Good numbers seen on the beach on northern Numfor. Several in ricefields north of Merauke.

Great-billed Heron  Ardea sumatrana   One seen on the beach on northern Numfor and one in flight at the tsunami forest in eastern Biak.

Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus   c10 seen circling over Merauke Airport.

Osprey (Eastern O)  Pandion [haliaetus] cristatus   A few, the first at the tsunami forest in eastern Biak.

Pacific Baza (Crested Hawk)  Aviceda subcristata   One on Biak for some [obscura]. Also seen at Nimbokrang and in roadside near to the Papua New Guinea border [stenozona].

Long-tailed Honey Buzzard ◊ (L-t Buzzard)  Henicopernis longicauda   Excellent views of one circling over Makmakerbo. Also seen over Nimbokrang.

Pygmy Eagle ◊ (Little E)  Hieraaetus weiskei   Great views of one at Nimbokrang.

Gurney’s Eagle ◊  Aquila gurneyi   Great views of a calling territorial pair over the forest on Biak. Another seen being mobbed by Brown-headed Crows on Waigeo.

Collared Sparrowhawk  Tachyspiza cirrocephala   One seen in Wasur National Park and a male seen well below Maibriy in the Arfaks [papuanus].

Grey-headed Goshawk ◊  Tachyspiza poliocephala   One seen briefly along the road near to the Warkesi Forest Park, Waigeo. Another seen well at Malagufuk

Variable Goshawk ◊ (Varied G)  Tachyspiza hiogaster   First on Biak [misoriensis]. Also seen at Nimbokrang and elsewhere on the mainland [leucosomus].

Black-mantled Goshawk ◊  Tachyspiza melanochlamys   Non-leader seen well by the road at Maibriy in the Arfaks.

Brown Goshawk  Tachyspiza fasciata   One seen along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park [dogwa].

Papuan Harrier ◊  Circus spilothorax   Great views of two, including a fine male, in ricefields north of Merauke. Also, great views of a pair in the Baliem Valley north of Wamena.

Brahminy Kite  Haliastur indus   First seen, just one, in southwestern Numfor. A few seen well in the Nimbokrang and Merauke areas [girrenera].

Whistling Kite  Haliastur sphenurus   A few seen well, the first in the Merauke area.

Greater Sooty Owl ◊  Tyto tenebricosa   Heard only, a couple of times at Minggre in the Arfaks, but no luck [arfaki].

Papuan Hawk-Owl ◊  Uroglaux dimorpha   Heard only at Nimbokrang, but no luck, despite much effort.

Rufous Owl ◊  Ninox rufa   Great views of three (a pair and a youngster), roosting by the village at Malagufuk [humeralis].

Papuan Boobook ◊  Ninox theomacha   A few heard, with excellent views of one at Minggre in the Arfaks [nominate].

Biak Scops Owl ◊  Otus beccarii   Great views of a bird with distinctly ‘blackened’ irides, particularly on the outer edges, just north of Biak Kota. Another pair seen well along the road to Telaga Biru. One bird showed bright yellow eyes, the other slightly blackened in a similar way. Could it be age or sex related?

Blyth’s Hornbill ◊ (Papuan H)  Rhyticeros plicatus   Fairly common. First seen around Nimbokrang.

Oriental Dollarbird (Common D)  Eurystomus orientalis   Common. First seen on Biak.

Hook-billed Kingfisher ◊  Melidora macrorrhina   Heard near to Nimbokrang and glimpsed at dusk near to the Papua New Guinea border [macrorrhina]. Several heard on Waigeo and one seen well at dusk [waigiuensis].

Common Paradise Kingfisher  Tanysiptera galatea   A pair seen well at Nimbokrang [meyeri]. Also, great views of a few on Waigeo [nominate].

Biak Paradise Kingfisher ◊  Tanysiptera riedelii   Brilliant views of plenty on Biak, the first along the road from Sunde to Makmakerbo. Always a bit skittish!

Numfor Paradise Kingfisher ◊  Tanysiptera carolinae   Several seen superbly along the track at Namber, southwest Numfor.

Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher ◊  Tanysiptera nympha   Excellent views of one just off the boardwalk on the walk in to Malagufuk.

Spangled Kookaburra ◊  Dacelo tyro   Great views of several individuals along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park. Quite skittish, but great birds!

Rufous-bellied Kookaburra ◊  Dacelo gaudichaud   First seen at a few sites around Nimbokrang. A couple seen along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park and others seen and heard elsewhere.

Blue-winged Kookaburra  Dacelo leachii   Good scope views of one along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park [intermedia].

Blue-black Kingfisher ◊ (Black-sided K)  Todiramphus nigrocyaneus   Stunning views of a pair in the forest at Malagufuk. A really mega kingfisher! Another seen briefly and others heard, including one in the mangroves at Sorong. [nominate].

Beach Kingfisher ◊  Todiramphus saurophagus   Great views in the Tsunami Forest on Biak. Also several seen spectacularly well on Waigeo [nominate].

Sacred Kingfisher  Todiramphus sanctus   Several on Biak and Numfor, and many seen elsewhere [nominate].

Yellow-billed Kingfisher ◊  Syma torotoro   Heard around Nimbokrang, then excellent views of one along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park. Several others heard and one found roosting at Malagufuk.

Mountain Kingfisher ◊  Syma megarhyncha   Excellent views of one along the Jayapura Road, northeast of Wamena [nominate].

Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher ◊  Ceyx solitarius   Many heard and glimpsed around Nimbokrang, and excellent views of one roosting along the trail at KM8 there. Others heard and seen briefly.

Azure Kingfisher  Ceyx azureus   Heard at the campground along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park [lessonii]. Heard, and one seen at Malagufuk [ochrogaster].

Little Kingfisher  Ceyx pusillus   One heard in the mangroves at Sorong [laetior].

Blue-tailed Bee-eater  Merops philippinus   Several seen at the Sentani Grasslands.

Rainbow Bee-eater  Merops ornatus   Biggest numbers on Biak where some impressive flocks were seen. Seen at several sites on the mainland too.

Nankeen Kestrel (Australian K)  Falco cenchroides   Non-leader, just one seen.

Palm Cockatoo ◊  Probosciger aterrimus   Only a few seen, on Waigeo and at Malagufuk with best views of a feeding bird the Raja Ampat Dive Resort on Waigeo [goliath].

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo  Cacatua galerita   Several on Biak and Numfor. Common in the lowlands on the mainland [triton].

Pesquet’s Parrot ◊ (Vulturine P)  Psittrichas fulgidus   Excellent scope views of four perched individuals from the KM9 viewpoint at Nimbokrang. Also one seen well below Duibey in the Arfaks.

Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot ◊  Micropsitta keiensis   A couple seen creeping around reasonably well at Malagufuk. Others heard [chloroxantha].

Geelvink Pygmy Parrot ◊  Micropsitta geelvinkiana   Excellent views of one along the track at Namber, southwest Numfor [nominate]. Also seen and heard on Biak [misoriensis].

Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot ◊  Micropsitta pusio   Seen a few times in the Nimbokrang area [beccarii].

Moluccan King Parrot ◊  Alisterus amboinensis   Brilliant views of a roosting pair at Malagufuk, and seen well again on the walk out. A stunner [dorsalis].

Red-winged Parrot  Aprosmictus erythropterus   A few seen in flight along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park [coccineopterus].

Papuan Eclectus ◊  Eclectus polychloros   First seen on Biak and Numfor, where several were seen well. Plenty on the mainland too [nominate].

Red-cheeked Parrot ◊  Geoffroyus geoffroyi   A few seen on Biak and Numfor [mysorensis], at Nimbokrang [minor] around Merauke [aruensis] and on Waigeo [pucherani].

Blue-collared Parrot ◊  Geoffroyus simplex   Heard only, flying over at Minggre in the Arfaks [nominate].

Brehm’s Tiger Parrot ◊  Psittacella brehmii   Non-leader, seen by some in the Arfaks.

Modest Tiger Parrot ◊  Psittacella modesta   A male seen well between Syoubri and Gunung Nadim, in the Arfaks [nominate].

Plum-faced Lorikeet ◊ (Whiskered L)  Oreopsittacus arfaki   A few seen, including one scoped at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura [major].

Red-fronted Lorikeet ◊  Hypocharmosyna rubronotata   Pairs seen briefly in flight on two occasions on Biak. Sadly, just small green bullets [kordoana]!

Red-flanked Lorikeet ◊  Hypocharmosyna placentis   Leader only on Numfor.

Fairy Lorikeet ◊ (Little Red L)  Charmosynopsis pulchella   Several seen in a flowering tree below Duibey in the Arfaks [nominate].

Yellow-billed Lorikeet ◊  Neopsittacus musschenbroekii   Several seen well on the walk up to Gunung Nadim from Syoubri, in the Arfaks.

Orange-billed Lorikeet ◊  Neopsittacus pullicauda   A few seen well at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura.

Black-capped Lory ◊ (Western B-c L)  Lorius lory   An attractive species. First seen on Biak [cyanauchen]. Common around Nimbokrang [viridicrissalis] and seen in the lower Arfaks [nominate].

Brown Lory ◊  Chalcopsitta duivenbodei   Good, if somewhat distant scope views of a pair in a flowering tree at Nimbokrang.

Black Lory ◊  Chalcopsitta atra   A few seen around the clearing at Malagufuk, including one perched [nominate].

Black-winged Lory ◊ (Biak L)  Eos cyanogenia   A few flyovers on both Biak and Numfor, and then excellent scope views of a perched bird along the road to Telaga Biru.

Violet-necked Lory ◊  Eos squamata   Excellent views of three on Merpati Island, off Waigeo [nominate].

Coconut Lorikeet  Trichoglossus haematodus   Seen well at several sites in the north [nominate]. Also, a few seen flying over along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park [caeruleiceps].

Biak Lorikeet ◊  Trichoglossus rosenbergii   A few flyovers and then excellent scope views of a perched bird along the road to Telaga Biru.

Large Fig Parrot ◊  Psittaculirostris desmarestii   Excellent views of a pair in a fruiting tree in the clearing at Malagufuk  [occidentalis].

Edwards’s Fig Parrot ◊  Psittaculirostris edwardsii   Great views of a male in the scope at a fruiting tree,  in roadside forest just west of Skouw, near to the Papua New Guinea border. A fine bonus!

Salvadori’s Fig Parrot ◊  Psittaculirostris salvadorii   Excellent views of a pair at a nest hole during the long walk at Jalan Korea, Nimbokrang.

Blue-fronted Fig Parrot ◊  Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii   Superb views of a pair, amongst a group of c6, in the mangroves at Sorong.

Dusky-cheeked Fig Parrot ◊  Cyclopsitta melanogenia   Great views of a small group of c6 along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park [fuscifrons].

Double-eyed Fig Parrot  Cyclopsitta diophthalma   Excellent views of a female at the nest in roadside forest just west of Skouw, near to the Papua New Guinea border. Also a pair at the entrance to Malagufuk.

Papuan Pitta ◊ (Habenicht’s P)  Erythropitta [macklotii] habenichti   One seen quite well hopping along the trail at Nimbokrang.

Papuan Pitta ◊  Erythropitta [macklotii] macklotii   Excellent views at Warkesi Forest Park, Waigeo, including a spotlit roosting bird, and a couple seen well at Malagufuk.

Eastern Hooded Pitta ◊  Pitta novaeguineae   Several seen well at Malagufuk [nominate].

Eastern Hooded Pitta ◊ (Numfor H P)  Pitta [novaeguineae] mefoorana   Great views of a couple along the track at Namber, southwest Numfor.

Biak Hooded Pitta ◊  Pitta rosenbergii   Two or three gave excellent views along the track at Makmakerbo, Biak.

Arfak Catbird ◊  Ailuroedus arfakianus   Heard only in the Arfaks, but no sightings! A very shy species [nominate].

Vogelkop Bowerbird ◊  Amblyornis inornata   Brilliant views at the bower at Minggre in the Arfaks. Incredible to see the toys, bottle caps, glass, coke cans etc. A sad indictment of humans!! Others heard and seen briefly.

Masked Bowerbird ◊  Sericulus aureus   A female and then a stunning male came to the fruiting tree at Maibriy in the Arfaks. A total stunner, it gave excellent and prolonged views!

Fawn-breasted Bowerbird ◊  Chlamydera cerviniventris   A few seen, including one scoped, along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park. Also seen at the Sentani grasslands.

Papuan Treecreeper ◊  Cormobates placens   Great views of one at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura. Also, several seen well in the Arfaks [nominate].

Wallace’s Fairywren ◊  Sipodotus wallacii   A pair seen well in roadside forest below Duibey in the Arfaks.

Emperor Fairywren ◊  Malurus cyanocephalus   Great views of a pair along the road from Sunde to Makmakerbo [mysorensis].

White-shouldered Fairywren ◊  Malurus alboscapulatus   First seen near to Merauke [lorentzi]. Also seen around Wamena [aida], and in the Arfaks [nominate].

Orange-crowned Fairywren ◊  Clytomyias insignis   Great views of a pair between Syoubri and Gunung Nadim, in the Arfaks [nominate].

Green-backed Honeyeater ◊  Glycichaera fallax   Leader-only, seen below Maibriy in the Arfaks.

Rufous-sided Honeyeater ◊  Ptiloprora erythropleura   Several seen well between Syoubri and Gunung Nadim, in the Arfaks [nominate].

Grey-streaked Honeyeater ◊  Ptiloprora perstriata   Many seen well at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura.

Rufous-banded Honeyeater ◊  Conopophila albogularis  One seen well at the ricefields north of Merauke.

Brown-backed Honeyeater  Ramsayornis modestus  A few seen well along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park. Also several in the mangroves at Sorong.

Long-billed Honeyeater ◊  Melilestes megarhynchus   Leader-only, one seen at Minggre in the Arfaks [nominate].

Tawny Straightbill ◊  Timeliopsis griseigula  An elusive but vocal pair gave some reasonable views in a mixed flock at Malagufuk, but they were frustratingly difficult to see well as they stayed high and moved quickly. Heard again there the following day and then excellent views of a pair feeding low down from the boardwalk on the walk out of Malagufuk.

Arfak Honeyeater ◊ (Western Smoky H)  Melipotes gymnops   Several seen well in the Arfaks, the first at Minggre.

Common Smoky Honeyeater ◊  Melipotes fumigatus   Plenty seen well at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura [goliathi].

Plain Honeyeater ◊  Pycnopygius ixoides   Non-leader, seen and photographed at Nimbokrang.

Marbled Honeyeater ◊  Pycnopygius cinereus   A few seen well on Gunung Nadim, above Syoubri, in the Arfaks [nominate].

Streak-headed Honeyeater ◊  Pycnopygius stictocephalus   Excellent views of a pair from the KM9 viewpoint at Nimbokrang.

Ruby-throated Myzomela ◊ (Red-t M)  Myzomela eques   Brilliant views of a couple of birds in a flowering tree just by the entrance to Warkesi Forest Park, Waigeo [nominate].

Red Myzomela ◊  Myzomela cruentata   A couple seen in a flowering tree below Duibey in the Arfaks [nominate].

Papuan Black Myzomela ◊  Myzomela nigrita  A couple seen in a flowering tree below Duibey in the Arfaks [nominate].

Red-collared Myzomela ◊  Myzomela rosenbergii   A male seen at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura. Also seen below Duibey and between Syoubri and Gunung Nadim, in the Arfaks.

Meyer’s Friarbird ◊  Philemon meyeri   A pair seen well during the long walk at Jalan Korea, Nimbokrang.

Helmeted Friarbird ◊ (New Guinea F)  Philemon [buceroides] novaeguineae   First seen well at Nimbokrang [jobiensis]. A few more seen on Waigeo and at Malagufuk [novaeguineae].

Noisy Friarbird  Philemon corniculatus   Quite common along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park.

Tawny-breasted Honeyeater ◊  Xanthotis flaviventer   First seen around Nimbokrang, the dull and confusing race meyerii. A few seen in the lower Arfaks and Malagufuk [flaviventer] and around Merauke [saturatior].

Olive Honeyeater ◊  Lichmera argentauris   Common on Merpati Island, off Waigeo. Several seen well in the coconut flowers.

Brown Honeyeater  Lichmera indistincta   A couple seen near to Merauke [ocularis].

White-throated Honeyeater  Melithreptus albogularis   One seen well along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park [nominate].

Puff-backed Honeyeater ◊ (P-b Meliphaga)  Meliphaga aruensis   One seen well below Duibey in the Arfaks. Also seen along the logging track at Saproken, Waigeo.

Mountain Honeyeater ◊ (M Meliphaga)  Microptilotis orientalis   Heard only, between Syoubri and Gunung Nadim, in the Arfaks [facialis].

Scrub Honeyeater ◊ (S White-eared Meliphaga)  Microptilotis albonotatus   One seen below Maibriy in the Arfaks.

Mimic Honeyeater ◊ (M Meliphaga)  Microptilotis analogus   One or two seen well around Nimbokrang, with others later in the trip.

Graceful Honeyeater (G Meliphaga)  Microptilotis gracilis   A few seen along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park.

Yellow-gaped Honeyeater ◊ (Y-g Meliphaga)  Microptilotis flavirictus   One bird seen well and thought to be this species at Nimbokrang [crockettorum].

Varied Honeyeater  Gavicalis versicolor   A few seen on Merpati Island, off Waigeo [sonoroides].

Black-throated Honeyeater ◊  Caligavis subfrenata   A pair seen at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura.

Cinnamon-browed Melidectes ◊  Melidectes ochromelas   Shy as usual, but decent views of a few near to the German Camp, on Gunung Nadim, above Syoubri, in the Arfaks .

Vogelkop Melidectes ◊  Melidectes leucostephes   Just a few seen in the Arfaks, the first at Minggre.

Belford’s Melidectes ◊  Melidectes belfordi   Common at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura [joiceyi].

Ornate Melidectes ◊  Melidectes torquatus   A few seen well at Suroba in the Baliem Valley near to Wamena. Also seen well in the Arfaks where one was found on a large mossy cup nest! [nominate].

Goldenface ◊ (Dwarf Whistler, Pachycare)  Pachycare flavogriseum   A few seen well in the Arfaks, the first at Maibriy.

Mountain Mouse-warbler ◊  Origma robusta   A few seen well at Gunung Nadim, in the Arfaks [peninsularis].

Rusty Mouse-warbler ◊  Origma murina   Many heard, and a few seen, the first in the Arfaks [nominate]. Several heard on Waigeo [capitalis].

Large Scrubwren ◊  Sericornis nouhuysi   A couple seen at Suroba in the Baliem Valley north of Wamena [nominate].

Pale-billed Scrubwren ◊  Aethomyias spilodera   A non-leader sighting at Maibriy in the Arfaks.

Vogelkop Scrubwren ◊  Aethomyias rufescens   Pretty common in the Arfak Mountains. First seen well around Minggre.

Buff-faced Scrubwren ◊  Aethomyias perspicillatus   A few seen well at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura.

Grey-green Scrubwren ◊  Aethomyias arfakianus   Seen well along the road between Minggre and Syoubri, in the Arfaks.

Papuan Scrubwren ◊  Aethomyias papuensis   Several seen well at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura [meeki].

Grey Thornbill ◊  Acanthiza cinerea   A non-leader sighting at Minggre in the Arfaks.

Yellow-bellied Gerygone ◊  Gerygone chrysogaster   First seen at Nimbokrang [nominate]. Also, a few seen on Waigeo [neglecta].

Green-backed Gerygone ◊  Gerygone chloronota   One seen during the long walk at Jalan Korea, Nimbokrang.

Fairy Gerygone ◊  Gerygone palpebrosa   A few seen well, in the lower Arfaks and on Waigeo [nominate].

Large-billed Gerygone ◊  Gerygone magnirostris   Great views of one at the campground along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park [brunneipectus].

Biak Gerygone ◊  Gerygone hypoxantha   Several seen well on Biak, the first along the road from Sunde to Makmakerbo.

Brown-breasted Gerygone ◊  Gerygone ruficollis   Common in the Wamena area, first seen at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura. Also plenty in the Arfaks.

Papuan Babbler ◊ (Rufous B)  Garritornis isidorei   Great views of a couple of flocks during the long walk at Jalan Korea, Nimbokrang. Also seen at Malagufuk.

Mid-mountain Berrypecker ◊  Melanocharis longicauda   Best views were around Maibriy in the Arfaks [longicauda].

Black Berrypecker ◊  Melanocharis nigra   A few seen with good views along the logging track at Saproken, Waigeo [pallida]. Also seen well at Malagufuk [nominate].

Fan-tailed Berrypecker ◊  Melanocharis versteri   A few seen well at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura [meeki].

Pygmy Longbill ◊ (Pygmy Honeyeater)  Oedistoma pygmaeum   Best views were at the flowering tree at Warkesi Forest Park, Waigeo [nominate].

Yellow-bellied Longbill ◊  Toxorhamphus novaeguineae   A few seen well, including one at a nest, at Malagufuk [nominate].

Spotted Jewel-babbler ◊  Ptilorrhoa leucosticta   One showed well to some of us, a couple of times, near to the Japanese Camp, on Gunung Nadim, above Syoubri, in the Arfaks [nominate].

Blue Jewel-babbler ◊  Ptilorrhoa caerulescens  Heard only, with several heard at Malagufuk, but did not respond [nominate].

Yellow-breasted Boatbill ◊  Machaerirhynchus flaviventer   A couple seen brilliantly along the track at Saproken, Waigeo [albifrons] and heard at Malagufuk [albigula].

Black-breasted Boatbill ◊  Machaerirhynchus nigripectus   Several seen well in the Arfaks [nominate].

White-breasted Woodswallow  Artamus leucorynchus   Common on Waigeo [leucopygialis].

Lowland Peltops ◊  Peltops blainvillii   A few seen well around Nimbokrang.

Mountain Peltops ◊  Peltops montanus   One seen well in the scope at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura. Also seen at Kwau, in the Arfaks.

Black Butcherbird ◊  Melloria quoyi   A pair seen well at the lunch camp during the long walk at Jalan Korea, Nimbokrang [nominate].

Black-backed Butcherbird ◊  Cracticus mentalis   A couple seen along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park [nominate].

Hooded Butcherbird ◊  Cracticus cassicus   A very common voice. First seen well on Biak. Also a few at various sites on the mainland [nominate].

Stout-billed Cuckooshrike ◊  Coracina caeruleogrisea   Seen well in a mixed flock at Maibriy in the Arfaks.

Boyer’s Cuckooshrike ◊  Coracina boyeri   A few seen well, especially around Nimbokrang [nominate].

White-bellied Cuckooshrike  Coracina papuensis   A few seen in the Merauke area. Also seen well in the Sorong mangroves etc [nominate].

Golden Cuckooshrike ◊  Campochaera sloetii   A few heard around Nimbokrang then one scoped perched from the KM9 viewpoint there [nominate].

Black-bellied Cuckooshrike ◊  Edolisoma montanum   Great views along the road below Maibriy in the Arfaks [nominate].

Grey-headed Cuckooshrike ◊  Edolisoma schisticeps   Heard at Nimbokrang, and seen by some.

Black Cicadabird ◊  Edolisoma melas   First seen, a male, during the long walk at Jalan Korea, Nimbokrang.

Geelvink Cicadabird ◊  Edolisoma meyerii   A few seen on Biak, the first along the road from Sunde to Makmakerbo [nominate]. Also, a couple seen along the track at Namber, southwest Numfor [numforanum].

Black-browed Triller ◊  Lalage atrovirens   Excellent views of many in the Nimbokrang area.

Biak Triller ◊  Lalage leucoptera   Several seen well on Biak.

Rufous-naped Bellbird ◊  Aleadryas rufinucha   One or two seen well at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura [niveifrons].

Black Pitohui ◊  Melanorectes nigrescens   Several heard and a few seen well in the Arfaks, mostly on Gunung Nadim, above Syoubri. This included a roosting female [nominate]!

Island Whistler ◊  Pachycephala phaionota   Great views of several on Merpati Island, off Waigeo.

Biak Whistler ◊  Pachycephala melanorhyncha   Excellent views of one on Biak. An excellent and very loud song.

Vogelkop Whistler ◊  Pachycephala meyeri   Several seen well in the lower Arfaks where first seen well at Maibriy.

Grey Whistler ◊  Pachycephala simplex   A few seen, in the lower Arfaks and on Waigeo [griseiceps].

Sclater’s Whistler ◊ (Hill Golden W)  Pachycephala soror   Plenty seen well in the Arfaks where first seen well at Maibriy [nominate].

Baliem Whistler ◊  Pachycephala balim   A male seen well at Suroba in the Baliem Valley north of Wamena.

Lorentz’s Whistler ◊  Pachycephala lorentzi   A few seen well at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura.

Regent Whistler ◊  Pachycephala schlegelii   Plenty seen well in the higher reaches of the Arfaks, especially on the walk up to, and around Gunung Nadim from Syoubri, in the Arfaks [nominate].

Black-headed Whistler ◊  Pachycephala monacha   A singing male at the lunch stop camp during the long walk at Jalan Korea, Nimbokrang, was a surprise [lugubris].

Rusty Pitohui ◊  Pseudorectes ferrugineus   A few heard and seen briefly along the track at Saproken, Waigeo [ferrugineus] and a few good views at Malagufuk [nominate].

Arafura Shrikethrush ◊  Colluricincla megarhyncha   A few seen well, the first noted below Duibey in the Arfaks [nominate].

Waigeo Shrikethrush ◊  Colluricincla affinis   A few seen well on Waigeo, the first at Warkesi Forest Park.  Also seen well along the logging track at Saproken.

Mamberamo Shrikethrush ◊  Colluricincla obscura   Excellent views of a singing bird at Nimbokrang.

Grey Shrikethrush  Colluricincla harmonica   A pair seen well and others heard along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park [superciliosa].

Northern Variable Pitohui ◊  Pitohui kirhocephalus   Quite skittish, but a few seen well around Nimbokrang [meyeri]

Raja Ampat Pitohui ◊  Pitohui cerviniventris   Singles seen well at Warkesi Forest Park and along the logging track at Saproken, Waigeo [nominate].

Hooded Pitohui ◊  Pitohui dichrous   Several seen in roadside forest in the Arfaks.

Brown Oriole ◊  Oriolus szalayi   One seen in roadside forest just west of Skouw, near to the Papua New Guinea border. Also seen on Waigeo and at Malagufuk.

Spangled Drongo  Dicrurus bracteatus   First seen well on both Biak and Numfor. Plenty more elsewhere [carbonarius]..

Willie Wagtail  Rhipidura leucophrys   Many on Biak and Numfor and at lowland sites on the mainland [melaleuca].

Northern Fantail ◊  Rhipidura rufiventris   A few seen, the first at Nimbokrang [gularis]. Also seen at other sites such as Waigeo and Malagufuk.

Biak Fantail ◊  Rhipidura kordensis   Seen very well along the track at Makmakerbo.

Sooty Thicket Fantail ◊  Rhipidura threnothorax   Excellent views at Nimbokrang, and also seen well at Malagufuk [nominate].

[Black Thicket Fantail ◊  Rhipidura maculipectus   A bird singing and responding in the mangroves at Sorong was initially thought to be this species. Photos suggest that there is some white on the belly, though it looks very dark for White-bellied Thicket Fantail. I believe that the two species are known to hybridize and the possibility that the two species are hybridizing in this area seems quite likely. The bird we saw may therefore be a hybrid?]

White-bellied Thicket Fantail ◊  Rhipidura leucothorax  Excellent views of one at Nimbokrang. Others heard. Also seen and heard elsewhere [nominate].

Black Fantail ◊  Rhipidura atra    Seen well at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, also common in the Arfaks, with some bright females [nominate].

Friendly Fantail ◊  Rhipidura albolimbata   Several, first seen at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura. Quite common in the Arfaks. Often lived up to their name!

Dimorphic Fantail ◊  Rhipidura brachyrhyncha   First seen at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura. A few seen in the Arfaks.

Rufous-backed Fantail ◊  Rhipidura rufidorsa   Excellent views of one at Nimbokrang. Others heard [nominate].

Supertramp Fantail ◊  Rhipidura semicollaris   Several seen well on Merpati Island, off Waigeo [squamata].                      

Drongo Fantail ◊ (Pygmy Drongo, Mountain D)  Chaetorhynchus papuensis   A few seen well in the Arfaks, especially in the forest at Maibriy.

Black Monarch ◊  Symposiachrus axillaris   A few seen well in the Arfaks [nominate].

Spot-winged Monarch ◊  Symposiachrus guttula   First seen well during the long walk at Jalan Korea, Nimbokrang.

Biak Monarch ◊  Symposiachrus brehmii   A pair and an adult and juvenile, eventually seen well along the track at Makmakerbo. A really smart monarch!

Hooded Monarch ◊  Symposiachrus manadensis   A male seen at Nimbokrang and another male seen well at Malagufuk.

Island Monarch  Monarcha cinerascens   Non-leader, seen and photographed on Numfor.

Black-winged Monarch ◊  Monarcha frater   Seen well at Kwau and below Duibey in the Arfaks [nominate].

Golden Monarch ◊  Carterornis chrysomela   Great views of several on Biak [kordensis]. Also seen around Nimbokrang [melanonotus] and in the lower Arfaks and at Malagufuk [aurantiacus].

Ochre-collared Monarch ◊ (Rufous-c M)  Arses insularis   Excellent views on a few occasions at Nimbokrang.

Frilled Monarch ◊  Arses telescopthalmus   First seen in the lower Arfaks, with plenty more, especially at Malagufuk [nominate]. Also a few seen on Waigeo [batantae].

Torrent-lark ◊  Grallina bruijnii   A female seen in the stream between Minggre and Lorikeet Lodge in the Arfaks.

Biak Black Flycatcher ◊ (Biak F)  Myiagra atra   Several seen well on both Biak and Numfor.

Shining Flycatcher (S Monarch)  Myiagra alecto   Several seen well on both Biak and Numfor and at lowland sites on the mainland [chalybeocephala].

Brown-headed Crow ◊  Corvus fuscicapillus   One heard and seen briefly in roadside forest just west of Skouw, near to the Papua New Guinea border. Much better were the great views of a blue-eyed male and then a male and female or immature, with a yellow bill, along the logging track at Saproken, Waigeo. Three seen the following day, near to the entrance of Warkesi Forest Park, mobbing a Gurney’s Eagle!

Grey Crow ◊ (Bare-eyed C)  Corvus tristis   Several seen well in the Nimbokrang area, and plenty more seen subsequently.

Torresian Crow (Australian C)  Corvus orru   A few seen on Waigeo [nominate].

Lesser Melampitta ◊  Melampitta lugubris   One seen to playback on the walk down to Syoubri, from Gunung Nadim, in the Arfaks.

Glossy-mantled Manucode ◊  Manucodia ater   A few seen well in the Nimbokrang area. Also seen along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park, and at several other sites.

Crinkle-collared Manucode ◊  Manucodia chalybatus   Great views of a pair coming to a fruit feeder at Maibriy in the Arfaks.

Trumpet Manucode ◊  Phonygammus keraudrenii   A calling bird seen at Maibriy in the Arfaks [nominate].

Long-tailed Paradigalla ◊  Paradigalla carunculata   Brilliant views of a male coming to the fruit feeder on the walk up to Gunung Nadim from Syoubri, in the Arfaks.

Western Parotia ◊  Parotia sefilata   Feeders in the Arfaks attended by many female types, and sensational views of a displaying bird at Minggre in the Arfaks.

Vogelkop Lophorina ◊ (Crescent-caped L)  Lophorina superba   A few seen in the Arfaks, with females at feeders and a male at Minggre [nominate].

Greater Lophorina ◊  Lophorina latipennis   Two or three scoped in trees at Suroba in the Baliem Valley north of Wamena [feminina].

Magnificent Riflebird ◊  Ptiloris magnificus   A male seen well at dawn on its display perch at Nimbokrang. Also heard at Kwau and at Malagufuk where a couple were seen briefly.

Black Sicklebill ◊  Epimachus fastuosus   First seen near to Minggre and then at the fruit feeder on the walk up to Gunung Nadim from Syoubri, in the Arfaks. These were all females and young males. A stunning displaying male was watched for c30mins just after sunrise, near to the German Camp, on Gunung Nadim, above Syoubri. An incredible experience. Others were seen nearby.

Brown Sicklebill ◊  Epimachus meyeri   Nice looks at two at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura.

Pale-billed Sicklebill ◊  Drepanornis bruijnii   Seen a few times at Nimbokrang, including a brilliant male even displaying his red pectoral tufts! Also a female seen well foraging during the long walk at Jalan Korea.

Magnificent Bird-of-paradise ◊  Diphyllodes magnificus   A few seen at feeders at Maibriy and a male from a hide, though remained largely hidden sadly [nominate].

Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise ◊  Diphyllodes respublica Absolutely incredible views of a displaying male at Warkesi Forest Park, Waigeo. At one time displaying on a pole to a female above him. Frequently snipping off leaves to open up the light, and then tossing them away of his display court. Incredible!!

King Bird-of-paradise ◊  Cicinnurus regius   Brilliant views of a male and a couple of females at Nimbokrang. Also seen very well at Malagufuk, including roosting birds!

Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise ◊  Seleucidis melanoleucus   A male with about four wires seen well at dawn at Nimbokrang. Also heard at Malagufuk.

Lesser Bird-of-paradise ◊  Paradisaea minor   Brilliant views of displaying males at Nimbokrang. A few others seen in the Arfaks and at Malagufuk.

Red Bird-of-paradise ◊  Paradisaea rubra   Brilliant views of several displaying birds at Warkesi Forest Park, Waigeo. A few female types seen while birding on Waigeo.

Lesser Ground Robin ◊  Amalocichla incerta   One seen well at Minggre, and a couple more on Gunung Nadim, above Syoubri, in the Arfaks [brevicauda].

Green-backed Robin ◊  Pachycephalopsis hattamensis   Several seen well, often around hides, at Maibriy, Minggre and Syoubri  in the Arfaks [nominate]. A cracking bird!

Garnet Robin ◊  Eugerygone rubra   Just one seen, between Minggre and Lorikeet Lodge in the Arfaks.

Canary Flyrobin ◊ (C Flycatcher)  Devioeca papuana   A few seen well at the Pass Valley, north of Wamena, along the road towards Jayapura. Several more seen in the Arfaks.

Olive Flyrobin ◊ (O Flycatcher)  Kempiella flavovirescens   First seen on Waigeo, and then excellent views of one in the forest at Malagufuk.

Lemon-bellied Flyrobin ◊  Microeca flavigaster   Excellent views of a pair along Jalan Wasur in Wasur National Park [tarara].

Ashy Robin ◊  Heteromyias albispecularis   After a lot of effort, one seen well near to the German Camp, on Gunung Nadim, above Syoubri, in the Arfaks .

Black-throated Robin ◊  Plesiodryas albonotata   Heard along the Jayapura Road, northeast of Wamena [griseiventris] and great views of one or two in the Arfaks [nominate].

Black-sided Robin ◊  Poecilodryas hypoleuca   One thermalled at Nimbokrang [hermani], and also heard on Waigeo [steini] and seen well at Malagufuk.

Smoky Robin ◊  Peneothello cryptoleuca   A couple seen well near to the Japanese Camp, on Gunung Nadim, above Syoubri, in the Arfaks .

Slaty Robin ◊ (Blue-grey R)  Peneothello cyanus   A few seen well along the Jayapura Road, northeast of Wamena [atricapilla] and plenty seen well in the Arfaks [nominate].

White-rumped Robin ◊  Peneothello bimaculata   Non-leader, one seen from the hide at Lorikeet Lodge in the Arfaks.

White-faced Robin ◊  Tregellasia leucops   Non-leader, one seen below Duibey in the Arfaks.

Sooty-headed Bulbul (introduced)  Pycnonotus aurigaster   Introduced and common around the hotel on Biak.

Pacific Swallow  Hirundo javanica   Common on both Biak and Numfor, and elsewhere [frontalis].

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica   A few seen, the first as we arrived on Waigeo.

Tree Martin  Petrochelidon nigricans   A few seen over the ricefields north of Merauke.

Island Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus poliocephalus   A few seen well, and more heard, the first below Maibry in the Arfaks [nominate].

Numfor Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus maforensis   One seen very well along the track at Namber, southwest Numfor. Several others heard.

Biak Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus misoriensis   One seen well at Makmakerbo then excellent views of a responsive individual along the road from Sunde to Makmakerbo.

Australian Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus australis   One seen and more heard in the ricefields north of Merauke [sumbae]..

Zitting Cisticola  Cisticola juncidis   One seen in ricefields on the outskirts of Merauke [laveryi].

Golden-headed Cisticola (Bright-capped C)  Cisticola exilis   Several seen well at the Sentani Grasslands [diminutus].

Lemon-bellied White-eye  Zosterops chloris   A few seen well on Merpati Island, off Waigeo [nominate].

Black-fronted White-eye ◊  Zosterops chrysolaemus   Good numbers seen well in the lower Arfaks [nominate].

Capped White-eye ◊ (Western Mountain W-e)  Zosterops fuscicapilla   Plenty seen well, the first near to Maibriy in the Arfaks.

Biak White-eye ◊  Zosterops mysorensis   Excellent views of a pair in the stunted forest just north of Biak Kota.

Metallic Starling (Shining S)  Aplonis metallica   Plenty seen on both Biak and Numfor. Also on the mainland [nominate].

Singing Starling ◊  Aplonis cantoroides   Just a few seen well on Waigeo.

Long-tailed Starling ◊  Aplonis magna   Several seen well on Biak [nominate] and on Numfor [brevicauda].

Moluccan Starling ◊  Aplonis mysolensis   A few seen on Merpati Island, off Waigeo.

Yellow-faced Myna ◊  Mino dumontii   Several seen well, the first in the Nimbokrang area.

Golden Myna ◊  Mino anais   Great views in the clearing at Malagufuk [nominate].

Pied Bush Chat (Pied Chat)  Saxicola caprata   A few seen near to Wamena [belensis].

Olive-crowned Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum pectorale   Quite a few seen, the first at Maibriy in the Arfaks [nominate].

Red-capped Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum geelvinkianum   Common on Biak [misoriense], on Numfor [maforense], around Merauke [albopunctatum] and elsewhere on the mainland [diversum].

Black Sunbird ◊  Leptocoma aspasia   A few seen on Biak [mysorensis] and plenty on the mainland [nominate].

Sahul Sunbird  Cinnyris frenatus   Common and widespread [frenatus].

Eurasian Tree Sparrow  Passer montanus   Introduced. Common on Biak and in towns elsewhere.

Crimson Finch ◊  Neochmia phaeton   Plenty of the white-bellied form seen around Merauke, and at the Sentani Grasslands (probably introduced at Sentani) [evangelinae].

Streak-headed Mannikin ◊  Mayrimunia tristissima   Several seen along the roadside at Kwau in the Arfaks. Surprisingly skittish [hypomelaena]!

Great-billed Mannikin ◊ (Grand M)  Lonchura grandis   Great views of plenty at the Sentani Grasslands [destructa].

Black-breasted Mannikin ◊  Lonchura teerinki   c100+ in grassland at Suroba in the Baliem Valley north of Wamena. I think it is the form mariae here.

Grey-banded Mannikin ◊  Lonchura vana   Great views of a group of six at the hospital c15km before Anggi Lakes, in the Arfaks.

Grey-crowned Mannikin ◊  Lonchura nevermanni   Great views of many in the ricefields north of Merauke. Smart little birds!

Hooded Mannikin ◊  Lonchura spectabilis   Plenty seen well at the Sentani Grasslands [mayri].

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin  Lonchura castaneothorax   Great views of several at the Sentani Grasslands [uropygialis].

Black Mannikin ◊  Lonchura stygia   Great views of c10 in the ricefields north of Merauke. Great birds!

MAMMALS

The species names and taxonomy used in the mammal list follow the mammal list on the iGoTerra website (www.igoterra.com). This list largely follows IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) taxonomy with just a few modifications. It is listed in family order, alphabetically by genera within families.

Western Long-beaked Echidna  Zaglossus bartoni   An amazing creature seen brilliantly at Malagufuk.

Common Echymipera  Echymipera kalubu  A couple at night around the clearing at Malagufuk.

Müller’s Three-striped Dasyure  Myoictis melas   A squirrel-like marsupial seen running on the forest floor at Malagufuk.

Northern Common Cuscus  Phalanger orientalis   Seen at Nimbokrang.

Common Spotted Cuscus  Spilocuscus maculatus   Seen at Nimbokrang.

Waigeo Spotted Cuscus  Spilocuscus papuensis   A stunner, seen at Warkesi Forest Park on Waigeo.

Lowland Ring-tailed Possum  Pseudochirulus canescens   Seen at night at Malagufuk.

Arfak Ring-tailed Possum  Pseudochirulus schlegeli   One seen near to our rooms at Minggre.

Brown Forest Wallaby  Dorcopsis muelleri   A few found with the thermal on the walk in to Malagufuk.

Short-finned Pilot Whale  Globicephala macrorhynchus   Seen on the way back from Numfor.

Spinner Dolphin  Stenella longirostris   Seen on the way back from Numfor.

Great Flying Fox (Bismarck F F)  Pteropus neohibernicus   Most of the big flying foxes we saw were likely this species.

Geelvink Bay Flying Fox  Pteropus pohlei   One seen on Numfor.

Dark Sheath-tailed Bat  Mosia nigrescens   Frequently seen in small groups on the underside of leaves.